Международный эпизод

           ”“Butyoumusthaveknownsome,too,”saidLordLambeth.“Idon’tthinkthatIhaveeverspokentoonebefore.YouarethefirstEnglishmanthat—tomyknowledge—Ihaveevertalkedwith.”BessieAldenmadethisstatementwithacertaingravity—almost,asitseemedtoLordLambeth,animpressiveness.Attemptsatimpressivenessalwaysmadehimfeelawkward,andhenowbegantolaughandswinghisstick.“Ah,youwouldhavebeensuretoknow!”hesaid.Andthenheadded,afteraninstant,“I’msorryIamnotabetterspecimen.”Theyounggirllookedaway;butshesmiled,layingasideherimpressiveness.“Youmustrememberthatyouareonlyabeginning,”shesaid.Thensheretracedhersteps,leadingthewaybacktothelawn,wheretheysawMrs.WestgatecometowardthemwithPercyBeaumontstillatherside.“PerhapsIshallgotoEnglandnextyear,”MissAldencontinued;“Iwantto,immensely.MysisterisgoingtoEurope,andshehasaskedmetogowithher.Ifwego,IshallmakeherstayaslongaspossibleinLondon.”“Ah,youmustcomeinJuly,”saidLordLambeth.“That’sthetimewhenthereismostgoingon.”“Idon’tthinkIcanwaittillJuly,”theyounggirlrejoined.“BythefirstofMayIshallbeveryimpatient.”Theyhadgonefurther,andMrs.Westgateandhercompanionwerenearthem.“Kitty,”saidMissAlden,“IhavegivenoutthatwearegoingtoLondonnextMay.Sopleasetoconductyourselfaccordingly.”PercyBeaumontworeasomewhatanimated—evenaslightlyirritated—air.